Nucleating agents based on graphene and graphene oxide for crystallization of the β-form of isotactic polypropylene

During the investigations, functionalization of graphene oxide synthesized using modified Hummers' method and its reduced form was performed. Mixtures of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide with pimelic acid and calcium hydroxide were prepared for functionalization. During the reaction, the molecules of pimelic acid were attached to the surface of graphene sheets. By forming links between the carboxylic groups of pimelic acid and graphene oxide, the durable connection was achieved. The functionalized graphene oxide and the reduced graphene oxide were used as additives in isotactic polypropylene crystallization. The influence of additives on crystallisation in non-isothermal conditions was examined using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of the additives on the polypropylene structure was analysed using wide-angle X-ray scattering. For both functionalized compounds, the nucleating ability towards beta-form of polypropylene was detected. Both additives showed the increase in the nucleation rate and promotion of growth of the beta-form crystals. Nucleation efficiency similar to other nucleating agents used in the crystallization of the beta-form of polypropylene was revealed.